When to change brake discs?
Content
Coin brake discs are the basic elements of your car's braking system. They must be maintained in good condition so that you can safely drive for yourself and for other road users. Let's learn together how they work and how to care for them to prevent wear and tear!
🔎 What role do brake discs play?
Developed in the 1950s, the brake disc was a new brake system developed by the Jaguar brand in collaboration with engineers from Dunlop.
The centerpiece of the brake system, the brake disc is made of metal and is used to slow down the wheel to stop your vehicle.
Attached to the wheel hub, it is also connected to the brake pads and brake caliper. All of these elements ensure that your vehicle decelerates and immobilizes when you press the brake pedal.
In particular, brake pads are a fixed device that grips the disc to slow down the rotation of the wheel and then stop it completely.
Brake fluid also plays an important role when you want to reduce the speed of your vehicle. It creates pressure around the pistons, which press the pads directly against the brake disc.
The brake disc allows, in particular, to improve the characteristics of a racing car. It also has many advantages over light car drum brakes such as:
- More progressive braking: more pressure is needed for braking, but braking is smooth;
- Better braking performance: the braking performance is higher than that of a drum brake, because heat exchange is more important with the outside air;
- Increased heat resistance.
📆 When do you need to change the brake discs?
As the weight of vehicles increases, the braking system becomes more and more stressed. This is why the brake disc wears out faster.
Disc wear varies according to several criteria:
- The weight of your car; The more weight, the stronger the braking;
- Driving method; if you tend to slow down a lot and do not use the freewheel method, your rotor will wear out quickly;
- Type of road taken: The brake disc is damaged more quickly on winding roads with many bends than on motorways or national roads.
It is generally recommended to replace the brake discs every 80 km. This mileage may vary depending on the car model, but also in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturers.
⚠️ What are the symptoms of brake disc wear?
Monitoring brake disc wear is important to make sure your brake system is still working and to know when to change it.
Several manifestations of your car can alert you to brake disc wear:
- Brake noise: in case of deformation or wear of the disc, you will hear screeching, squealing or squealing;
- Vehicle vibrations: These will be felt when braking because your brake disc is “deformed”. You will also be able to feel them if the brake pedal is hard, if it is soft, or if it sinks to the floor without resistance;
- Scratches or grooves are visible on the disc: they are the result of repeated contact of the discs with the brake pads;
- One stopping distance increases this: Wear significantly reduces your vehicle's ability to decelerate.
👨🔧 How to change brake discs?
If you are used to carrying out complex repairs on your car, you can change the brake discs yourself. We'll help you make this change step by step.
Required material:
Un jack
Metal brush
Protective gloves
Toolbox
Brake cleaner
New brake discs
Step 1: Remove the brake discs
To do this, first remove the caliper and then remove the guide screws or retaining clips in the center of the disc. Then remove the disc from the wheel hub.
Step 2: Install new brake discs.
Degrease the wax on the new brake disc with a brake cleaner, then wipe the wheel hub with a wire brush to remove any residue.
Install the new disc onto the hub and replace the pilot screws or retaining clips.
Step 3: Reinstall the caliper
Clean the brake pad surfaces, then reassemble the caliper.
💰 How much does it cost to replace a brake disc?
The average price for a brake disc replacement is between 200 € and 300 €, parts and labor included.
As a rule, mechanics can offer you a package to check all elements of the brake system, including the brake fluid.
This range is mainly due to the difference in price depending on the type and model of the vehicle, but also according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Make an appointment with the garage for your brake discs if you feel they are worn out. Your car's braking system guarantees your safety and the safety of others, do not hesitate to make suggestions in our garage comparator!
